Massaging Harper's high asking price onto is payroll might be a difficult task for the Cubs. Gammons added that he doesn't "think it's going to ever happen."

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is making $1.05 million this season and is arbitration eligible from 2018 through 2021. He is also expected to seek a lucrative deal. Scott Boras represents Harper and Bryant, the last two MVPs of the National League. The Cubs also handed Jason Heyward an eight-year, $184 million contract during the 2016 offseason.

In December, a high-ranking Nationals executive told USA Today that Harper will demand a deal longer than 10 years and exceeding $400 million.

Harper, 24, is hitting .328 this season with 15 home runs and 43 RBI. He is currently serving a three-game suspension for his role in an altercation Monday with San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland. He is eligible to return Sunday in the Nationals' 4:05 p.m. matchup against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum.